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Make a Joyful Noise.......just don't pop your flams

 I react to a popped flam like a vampire reacts to garlic. It has the same affect as when a wind player plays a B♭ when they are supposed to play a B𝄮.  A flam played correctly is a primary note preceded immediately by a grace note. The grace note is played softer than the primary and in theory doesn't have a time value. 


Right Flam as written and played


When played correctly, a flam has two distinct sounds. A popped flam happens when both sticks strike the drum at the same time.


Popped Flam as played


Imagine throwing a rock into a pond. When it strikes the water, ripples travel outward in circles.

If two rocks are thrown at the same time, each produces its own set of ripples. When those two sets of ripples meet they cancel each other out.

By replacing ripples in the water with sound waves in the air you get the same effect. The difference is when the sound waves intersect this immediate cancellation is so abrupt that it gives a popping or choked sound.

A single tap on a drum produces the initial contact sound followed by a decay. It's this decay that is stopped creating the pop.

The problem is always in the preparation before the flam is played.  If the student learns proper rebound and stick height from the beginning there is less chance of popping their flams. 

Even then      POPPED FLAMS HAPPEN. 




















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  1. RonaldAugust 30, 2020 at 8:42 AM

    I like the graphics. Honestly, I've read this post twice now and am still a little confused. When you explained it to me last Sunday I easily understood it. I'll read it again.

    ReplyDelete

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